Animal Rights: A History Saint Richard of Chichecter
This page is part of the section: Animal Rights: A History
Richard of Chichester, also known as Richard of Wyche lived from 1197 until 1253. He was also a scholar having been educated at Oxford and was the Bishop of Chichester for eight years, in 1262 he was canonised a Saint . He is however perhaps most noted for his famous prayer:
Thanks be to you, our Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits which you have given us,for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us.
Most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may we know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly,
day by day.
Amen.
Most importantly for our purposes Richard of Chichester abstained from eating meat viewing such culinary tastes with a sense of horror, openly voicing his feelings in this regard:
But the strict abstinence of his youth was still rigorously observed, and, whilst his guests were free to enjoy the well-spread table, the cheerful host ate scarcely anything, contenting himself generally with bread and a little wine, and merely playing, for courtesy's sake, with the delicacies set before him. Meat he seems to have entirely forsworn, and grew in time to regard it with a sort of horror. When he saw a lamb or kid, or birds of any kind being brought to his kitchen he would cry out with pity and shame: "Ah, poor little creatures! If you were rational beings and could speak, how you would curse us. For we are the cause of your death; you who are so innocent, what have you done worthy of death?" and he would never touch any of such food when offered him.
Richard of Wyche, labourer, scholar, Bishop and Saint by Sister Mary Reginald Capes
Credits
Graphic: A medieval era wall painting of Saint Richard of Chichester in the nave of Black Bourton church, Oxfordshire, depicted not long after his canonisation.
Original image and licensing details
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Richardofchichester.png
Important please note:
I am not an animal expert of any kind just your average person who loves animals, all animals, and feels deeply about the plight of many of our fellow creatures. Neither am I a writer, or any other expert. Therefore please keep in mind that the information included in this website has been researched to the best of my ability and any misinformation is quite by accident but of course possible.
Copyright, accreditations and other matters, please read
This page is part of the section: Animal Rights: A History
Richard of Chichester, also known as Richard of Wyche lived from 1197 until 1253. He was also a scholar having been educated at Oxford and was the Bishop of Chichester for eight years, in 1262 he was canonised a Saint . He is however perhaps most noted for his famous prayer:
Thanks be to you, our Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits which you have given us,for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us.
Most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may we know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly,
day by day.
Amen.
Most importantly for our purposes Richard of Chichester abstained from eating meat viewing such culinary tastes with a sense of horror, openly voicing his feelings in this regard:
But the strict abstinence of his youth was still rigorously observed, and, whilst his guests were free to enjoy the well-spread table, the cheerful host ate scarcely anything, contenting himself generally with bread and a little wine, and merely playing, for courtesy's sake, with the delicacies set before him. Meat he seems to have entirely forsworn, and grew in time to regard it with a sort of horror. When he saw a lamb or kid, or birds of any kind being brought to his kitchen he would cry out with pity and shame: "Ah, poor little creatures! If you were rational beings and could speak, how you would curse us. For we are the cause of your death; you who are so innocent, what have you done worthy of death?" and he would never touch any of such food when offered him.
Richard of Wyche, labourer, scholar, Bishop and Saint by Sister Mary Reginald Capes
Credits
Graphic: A medieval era wall painting of Saint Richard of Chichester in the nave of Black Bourton church, Oxfordshire, depicted not long after his canonisation.
Original image and licensing details
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Richardofchichester.png
Important please note:
I am not an animal expert of any kind just your average person who loves animals, all animals, and feels deeply about the plight of many of our fellow creatures. Neither am I a writer, or any other expert. Therefore please keep in mind that the information included in this website has been researched to the best of my ability and any misinformation is quite by accident but of course possible.
Copyright, accreditations and other matters, please read